Building a local library in India

Beckers provides books to feed mind and soul

About 8,000 people live in Pilerne village in the North Goa district of India. The village has two primary schools, one middle school but – until last year – no library. Beckers has had a presence in this community since 2010, donating resources to everything from a medical centre to a fruit park; we want to help people live happier, healthier lives.

In 2017, after a consultation with local people, we funded and set up a library in the Village Panchayat Building. We provided all the furniture and – most importantly – enough books to create sections for children and school, general knowledge, spirituality, autobiography, mythology, history, science and fiction.

The library was inaugurated by Nicklas Augustsson, Global Sustainability Director, on May 13th, 2017. Managing Director Rajesh Mehrotra and Vice President Operations Morisetty Srinivas also attended the inauguration, as did the local governing council and local people.